215 Second Street West + Chaska, Minnesota + www.gachaska..

org + (952) 227-4000

Catholic Church & School

OF

DECEMBER 18, 2011 - FOURTH SUNDAY

ADVENT

NORMAL PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday ~ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For times other than those listed, please call the Parish Office. DAILY MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK: Monday, December 19th~ 8 a.m. Tuesday, December 20th ~ 8 a.m. (Word & Communion Service) Wednesday, December 21st ~ 5:30 p.m. Thursday, December 22nd ~ 5:30 p.m. Friday, December 23rd ~ 9:20 a.m. Saturday, December 24th ~ 9:20 a.m. (at Auburn Manor) *Saturday, December 24th ~ 4 p.m., 6 p.m. & 11 p.m. 7:30 p.m. in Spanish *Sunday, December 25th ~ 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Noon in Spanish *See inside this bulletin for specific information about each of our Christmas Masses
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE:

Church & School Staff

Listed Alphabetically E-Mails for Staff: FirstInitialLastName@GAchaska.org Example: DEbert@GAchaska.org

Mass Intentions for This Week

(Monday, December 19, 2011 - Sunday, December 25, 2011) Monday (8 a.m.) Wednesday (5:30 p.m.) Thursday (5:30 p.m.) Friday (9:20 a.m.) Saturday (9:20 a.m.)
(at Auburn Manor)

Fr. Doug Ebert, Pastor Sara Anderson, Bookkeeping/Music Assistant Rev. Mr. Jim Bauhs, Deacon Amy Gallus, School Principal
Fr. Thomas Joseph, Sacramental Minister within the Latino Community

Emily Klinker, Director of Faith Formation Maria Koehn, Latino Administrative Assistant Lori Reznick, School Administrative Assistant Jean Rief, Pastoral Associate Miguel Salinas, Parish Analyst/Room Scheduling Jennifer Salwei, Accounting Teresa Schmidt, Director of Worship Gary Van Eyll, Parish Director Paul Meger, Maintenance Supervisor

227-4000 227-4000 227-4092 227-4010 227-4093 227-4007 227-4015 227-4010 227-4095 227-4004 227-4001 227-4084 227-4002 227-4013

Rose Tellers Priest Intention

Sponsored by the Daughters of Isabella for all the sick, elderly and shut in this Christmas

Marvin Plyka -----

Knights of Columbus Calendar Raffle Results

Thanks to Ohnsorg Truck Bodies for being this weeks sponsor
12/10/2011 #4917 Julia Vandenbroeke 12/11/2011 #4964 Kathy Dempsey 12/12/2011 #5176 David Schlegelmilch 12/13/2011 #4845 Kathy Terryll 12/14/2011 #5409 Charles Stacken 12/152011 #4992 Matt Greenwood 12/16/2011 #4941 Darlene Annen

TRUSTEES Steve Rasmussen Mark Sanda Bill Meyer, Trustee Emeritus PARISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Jeoff Will FINANCE COUNCIL Travis Olson FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION Ed Hajek, eahajek@yahoo.com SCHOOL COMMISSION Tom Tierney, thomas.tierney@gmail.com WORSHIP COMMISSION Gerry Olsen PASTORAL CARE COMMISSION Becky Porspakka PARISH LIFE COMMISSION Linda Forner ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION Paul Meger

Lay Leadership Positions

448-5922 277-4283 361-3024 448-5113 960-4940 239-8799 442-4361 546-1190 448-3312 448-6912

Congratulations! Please call Steve at 952-448-3127 to collect your winnings.

Next Weekends Readings (December 25th)

First Reading All the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:7-10). Psalm All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God (Psalm 98). Second Reading God has spoken to us through the Son, the very imprint of Gods being (Hebrews 1:1-6). Gospel The Word became flesh; from his fullness we have all received grace (John 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]).

PRAYER LINE, Jessica Oberpriller 952-381-4246 or jessica.oberpriller@gmail.com

Albert Patrick Young Nov. 23, 2011 John Paul Stelten Nov. 29. 2011

Coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses this weekend is sponsored by the School Advisory Committee. There will be no Hospitality after Masses next Sunday. Merry Christmas!

Don't miss St. Victoria's 15th Annual Advent/ Christmas concert, "God is With Us" this Sunday, December 18, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Victoria Parish Family in Victoria. The event will feature the Adult Choir, Handbell Choir and the Praise and Worship Band. Admission is free. A free will offering will be taken up for Bountiful Basket Food Shelf, & a reception will follow.

From

Father Doug

You may recall bulletin articles a few months ago about cash flow problems and other financial issues. Our ability to acquire re-financing was complicated by a large payment owed to a bank in this day and age, borrowing money from one bank to pay off another is only for the most credit-worthy, and that was not our circumstance. When it became apparent that we were not going to be able to make some large payments coming due, the Archdiocese was contacted for help. They, in turn, connected us with Catholic Financial Corporation (CFC), an archdiocesan financial resource set up to help parishes in need. CFC measures not only repayment ability, but also recognizes the assets of faithful viability, archdiocesan need, and future vision. The archdiocese authorized our pursuit of this bill consolidation loan on the condition that all loans, including the archdiocesan assessments from the time before Fr. Paul Jarvis pastoral term, would be paid off. I am grateful for my predecessors diligence in assuring that our parish would comply with its responsibility to our local church as he re-invigorated this community. His work came to fruition in our creditworthiness with CFC. I am also grateful for the work of Gary VanEyll, Jennifer Salwei, the trustees, and the Finance Council to assure the successful completion of this consolidation. Our outstanding loans have been consolidated. We now owe $667,000 to Catholic Financial Corporation at an annual rate of 5.5% renegotiable in five years. A condition of the loan involves the initiation of a new capital campaign in the fairly near future to pay down this loan and to fund a viable plan to rationalize and restore our facility. Rationalize and restore involves addressing our backlog of deferred maintenance and figuring out a cost-effective way to better utilize our resources. Payoff amounts were: $183,735 to Klein Bank to pay off the line of credit and the parish rectory (priests house), $119,410 for a reconstruction loan, $56,336 for the fire system mandated by Carver county, $38,437 to Solid Restoration and Construction, $170,118 to the Archdiocese to settle all past due assessments, $18,735 to (etc.), $80,000 balance is reserved as a contingency fund for unforeseen future maintenance, a need that is foreseen in our current environment. Our monthly interest payment on this amount is $1,700. Obviously, it is imperative that we set up a plan to pay down the principal in addition to the interest payment. Before the consolidation, our monthly outlay for the now paid-off debts was $3,795 and a $20,010 semiannual payment. The relief of not facing huge impending payments is tempered by the reality that we have a significant practical debt involving deferred and preventative maintenance. There is also the reality of unknown future issues that we all face in our household and business plans. The outcome of our commissions vision will help us to look toward a future that will remain within our means. The current crisis is over, though our debt has practically increased, we now have a more stable platform from which we can prepare for our future. We avoided default, but we retain our fiscal challenges; we will be attentive to them as we move on. Thank you for your continuing help and support that have enabled us to achieve this resolution.

Parish Information
Mass Intentions Mass intentions may be for the living and the departed, with a designating in the bulletin a deceased person. There is a $10 suggested donation per Mass intention. Permission from the sick person or his/ her family must be granted before a names inclusion in these prayers. To schedule a Mass intention, call Jean in the parish office. Baptism Sacramental preparation is required for all parents. Godparents and Grandparents are also encouraged to attend. Baptismal prep sessions are given every other month and Baptism Masses are held once a month. Call Jean in the parish office to schedule a child for Baptism and the parents for baptismal prep. Prayers of the Faithful .If you would like a name included in our Prayers of the Faithful for the sick, please call the Parish Office. Penance...Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and anytime by appointment. Matrimony...Pre-registration required at least one year in advance; marriage preparation course is required. Initial contact: Dan & Richie Klein (home) 952-448-4406, (cell) 612-743-3541, or e-mail: Weddings@GAchaska.org. Anointing If you wish to receive an anointing please call the parish office. Communion for the Homebound...When we come together to pray at our Eucharistic liturgy, we do not forget the members of our community who are unable to be with us because of ill health. We remember them in our prayer, and we wish to include them in our Holy Communion. Members of our community bring the Blessed Sacrament to them to comfort them and to unite them with us in the Eucharist. We are not always aware of those who have this need. Please call the Parish Office to let us know if you or a member of your family would like to have Holy Communion brought to them. That way we can schedule a time for our ministers to visit and bring the Sacrament. Hospital, Nursing Home, Homebound Visits...Churches are no longer notified by hospitals or nursing homes when a parishioner is admitted unless the family has requested it. If you or a family member are homebound, hospitalized or in a nursing home and would like a visit from a member of the pastoral ministry staff, please call Jean Rief in the parish office.

Parish Calendar & Events

For the most updated calendar information for events at G.A., please check our online calendar at
.

www.GAchaska.org/churchcalendar
8 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 8 a.m. 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 8 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. . 9:20 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 9 a.m. 9:20 a.m. 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. 11:00 p.m. 8 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon

MON

19
TUE

Daily Mass, Church Angels Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft Prayer Shawl Ministry, Parish Office Christmas Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft Knights of Columbus Meeting, Parish Office Word & Communion Service, Church Halos Youth Group Meeting, Parish Office Christmas Rehearsal/walk through, Church

20
WED

21
THU

Daily Mass, Church

6:15 Mass Musicians Rehearsal, Church NO SCHOOL ~ CHRISTMAS BREAK! Quilters, SFH Daily Mass, Church Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft NO SCHOOL ~ CHRISTMAS BREAK! PARISH OFFICES CLOSING AT NOON Daily Mass, Church Confessions in Spanish, Church Overeaters Anonymous Group, Parish Office Mass at Auburn Manor Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft Christmas Eve Mass, Church Christmas Eve Mass, Church Christmas Eve Mass in Spanish, Church Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft

22
FRI

23
SAT

24

Prelude & Congregational Sing-a-Long, Church

Prelude & Congregational Sing-a-Long, Church

SUN

25

Midnight Christmas Eve Mass, Church Christmas Day Mass, Church Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Loft Christmas Day Mass, Church Faith Formation Sunday School, School Christmas Day Mass in Spanish, Church

Christmas Cookie Walk Bake Sale Results

Thank you bakers and buyers for making this a record breaking fundraising event. We raised $135350 with our matching grant dollars from Catholic United Financial. We could not have asked for a better turnout. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of you from your Guardian Angels Council #19.

The second collection this weekend will be for The Retirement Fund for Religious. This provides vital funding for prescription medications, nursing care, and more for elderly sisters, brothers and religious order priests. Please make checks payable to Retirement Fund for Religious. Please put them in the collection basket or in the dontion boxes at the back of the church or mail directly to National Religious Retirement Office 3222 4th St. NE Washington DC 20017 If you would like more info, pick up a flyer in the Collection for Ministries kiosk rack in the back of the church.

Faith Formation
This week will be our last sessions of 2011 for all Faith Formation Ministries thank you for your support in our growing ministries; we are looking forward assisting you in teaching your families about our Catholic Faith in the upcoming months. Our sessions will resume the week of Jan 8th 2012. Gentle Reminder Calendar updates for Faith Formation the Advent / Christmas Season
Sunday School and Latino FF will have their last session for 2011 TODAY Sunday, December 18th There are no Wednesday classes December 21st & 28th and January 4th There are no Sunday (Sunday School and Latino FF) classes December 25th and January 1st RCIA will meets TODAY Sunday Dec. 18th There is a catechist meeting on Wednesday, January 4th Saturday, January 7th Confirmation going to Net Ministries Lifeline Mass and presentation bus leaves at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 7th 2010 regular schedules resume please see calendar on our website if you have any questions http://www.gachaska.org/files/gachaska/files/ FF%20Calendar%202011-2012.pdf

Education for the Mind~Body~Spirit

A special Thank You to all the families and friends who gave a memorial to Guardian Angels School on behalf of the memory of Bert Young. We are very appreciative of the thoughtful donations.
Holy Family Catholic High School Music Department Presents: Prepare the Way: 2011 Christmas Concert
Come

join us in celebration of the Advent season on Sunday, December 18th at 3:30 p.m. at Guardian Angels Church. We will be performing winter themed songs along with traditional Christmas carols to celebrate the coming of Christ. The concert will feature three of our curricular choirs; the Chorus, Camerata, & the Chorale. Happy Holiday season and we hope to see you there.
Register Tapes for Education Do you shop at Cooper's Market in downtown Chaska?

You can help Guardian Angels School earn credit for free school equipment by turning in your Cooper's register receipts to the Parish or School office. Your receipts earn GA School credits and in March 2012, we will be able to place an order for some items we can use in the school. Receipts must be original and have the date and total amount visible. The program runs now through March 31, 2012. For more information, please contact the school at info@GAchaska.org or call us at 952-227-4010. This is such an easy way to show your support of GA! Thank you!

Need updated addresses of past clergy for your Christmas card list?
Fr. Conran Schneider OFM Auburn Courts 501 Oak St. N #326 Chaska, MN 55318 Fr. Paul Jarvis 13900 Biscayne Ave. W Rosemount, MN 55068 Fr. Larry Johnson 4287 46th Ave N. Robbinsdale, MN 55422 Deacon Gregg Sroder 873 6th St E. Saint Paul, MN 55106

Christmas Masses
4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass We begin with special Christmas music by the Angels Choir and Little Ringers and Congregational Carols at 3:30 p.m. All children are invited to participate in the entrance procession and bring a gift to place before baby Jesus during the blessing of the manger (see information below). 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass This mass will be lead by a cantor and there will be no incense at this Mass. 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass in Spanish 11:00 p.m. Christmas Midnight Mass Adult choir and instruments will lead Midnight Mass. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes early to hear the beautiful prelude music and join in the congregational carols. At the Midnight Mass the Proclamation of the Birth of Christ is proclaimed. 8:00 a.m. Christmas Morning Mass This Mass will be lead by a cantor & there will be no incense. 10:00 a.m. Christmas Morning Mass This Mass will be led by the choir and will include festive instruments. The Christmas Eve/Day Masses will run about an hour long. Two exceptions will be the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass and the Midnight Mass which will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. If you are allergic to incense, be sure to attend either the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass or the 8:00 a.m. Christmas Day Mass. Because Christmas day falls on a Sunday there will NOT be a 6:15 p.m. Mass on December 25th.

Come and help feed the hungry. Guardian Angels will be serving a meal for Loaves & Fishes at St. Marks Catholic Church in Shakopee on Thursday, December 29. The first team arrives at St. Marks at 2:30 p.m. to prepare the meal. The second team arrives at St. Marks at 5:15 p.m. to serve and clean up. We would also appreciate donations of cakes, bars or cookies, which can be brought to St. Francis Hall that morning. Call Sharon Schleicher at 952-448-2254 if you can help prepare or serve the meal or provide baked goods. Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Gifts to Donate at the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Childrens Mass

This year at Guardian Angels we are trying something new! At the 4:00pm Christmas Eve mass all the children will be invited to join in the entrance procession at the beginning of Mass. The children will process up to the manger as part of the Blessing of the Manger at the beginning of Mass. The children are also invited to bring a small, unused, and unwrapped gift to place before baby Jesus. These gifts will be donated to one of the following charities: Love Inc., New Beginnings, or the Food Shelf. Acceptable gifts would include but are not limited to: The Food Shelf New Beginnings Love INC. Any non-perishable food item Diapers, wipes, bottles, baby blankets, infant clothing, etc Hats, mittens, socks etc

There will be an announcement shortly before mass asking the children to come to the back of the church.

Retrouvaille a lifeline for Marriages

A program to help couples heal and renew their marriages
Do you feel lost, alone or bored in your marriage? Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with your spouse? Are you constantly fighting? Or, do you simply shut down? Have you thought about separation or divorce? Does talking about it only make it worse?

Retrouvaille provides marriage help!

Retrouvaille helps couples put the pieces of their marriages back together and rebuild loving relationships. Twin Cities Retrouvaille offers a program consisting of a weekend and six follow-up sessions. The program is offered several times a year. Registration is required. For more information contact 651-457-8838 or www.helpourmarriage.com.

Collection for Ministries

Caring For Others
Bountiful Basket Food Shelf in Chaska is currently in great need of:
Peanut Rice Hats

Butter

& Mittens/Gloves for all ages

Did you know... For every $1 donated, Bountiful Basket can purchase $9 of food. 1213 individuals were helped at Chaska Bountiful Basket in October. 45% of those helped were children, 0-17 years of age. GA gave 265 pounds of food last month Thank you for your continued support of those in need in our community!